We just returned from a rather dissapointing trip to WDW. It all started when we recieved a phone call from MS on Saturday the 12th. The call regarded our check in at BCV for the following day. Apparently the 2 bedrooms were over booked and we were being moved to BWV 2 bedroom standard view. Well, my first reaction was just being stunned. My second reaction was to just make the best of it. They were apologetic and refunded the difference in points. So off we went.
BWV check in was a rather bad start. The bellman/valet were very distracted and not friendly at all. Not like we remembered when we stayed at the BW inn 4 years prior. CM checking us in couldn't have been more grumpy. I wish I had gotten her name but I do remember she was from Haiti. We were in room 3135 a lock off 2 bedroom. Room was the last room at the end of those loooooooooooong halways. View wasn't bad for a standard with a view of the canal and Tower of Terror. Room was worn and just seemed rather dull. Room was clean except for the balcony which was filthy!!!!!! I'd be willing to bet that it has never been cleaned.
Well we were glad to be at WDW so we just moved on and headed for the pool. Pool was very crowded and just filthy. Garbage all over, chairs in disaray and the pool just seemed old. I had heard they recently refurbed the pool but for the life of us we couldn't see what. Maybe the pool surface, I don't know. We had some conversations about maintenenace at DVC Resorts after this experience. The deluxe resorts we are used to just seem to be better maintained than this DVC Resort. I hope they all aren't like this one!!!! The BW really needs work. Our first stay as DVC members was at SSR. It wasn't great either but you know after staying at BWV we will go back to SSR before the BWV. Nicer overall with WAAAAAAAy better food/drinks.
Eating just became a huge hassle there with kids. Nothing poolside except for Turkey or Ham sandwich pre made, chips or pretzels, that is it, not even a hot dog. You either head out or cook in your room. ESPN wouldn't do a to go order for me either. Eating became a stress point on our resort days. SSR had good food to grab at AP, I expected something better I guess. Room service menu has changed or is very different from the one that we had years ago at the BWI. Nothing for non meat eaters and extremely limited choices. We did eat at two of the BW restaurants for diner, Spoodles and Big River. Both were pretty god but again very few choices. The menus seemed very generic to us and paired down. Both even had Hummus, I mean Spoodles that makes sense but at a Brew Pub??????
We took the kids to Universal and Seaworld. Both were excellent and we enjoyed them both. We love the variety in Orlando and we had decided up front not to do the Disney parks as we will be returning so often.
All in all we really enjoyed the trip. We even had two magical experiences. First was at the boat rental place near the YC. I took the boys over to rent a boat. Two friendly girls approached and asked if we had some time. We said sure and they proceded to give us our own private pirate chase. We boarded the boat and looked for the pirate around the lagoon. We chased off the prirates and recieved treasure at the end. Very cool and the boys loved it!!! It was part of the eyar of the million dreams. We also had another experience at the community hall at thew BW quiet poool. We rented bikes there and upon return we were told no charge and thye even gave each of us ice cream mickey ears!!! Awesome stuff, really. TWO in one trip. Maybe the WDW gods looked out for us afterall.
We now have at least stayed at all of the DVC Resorts so we can now make an informed decision about what we like/dislike. We seem to be a BCV/VWL family I guess as those are our favorites. After that we like OKW/SSR with BWV being last on our list. We think the new AKV might appeal to us as well.
Thanks for reading.
Mike
BWV check in was a rather bad start. The bellman/valet were very distracted and not friendly at all. Not like we remembered when we stayed at the BW inn 4 years prior. CM checking us in couldn't have been more grumpy. I wish I had gotten her name but I do remember she was from Haiti. We were in room 3135 a lock off 2 bedroom. Room was the last room at the end of those loooooooooooong halways. View wasn't bad for a standard with a view of the canal and Tower of Terror. Room was worn and just seemed rather dull. Room was clean except for the balcony which was filthy!!!!!! I'd be willing to bet that it has never been cleaned.
Well we were glad to be at WDW so we just moved on and headed for the pool. Pool was very crowded and just filthy. Garbage all over, chairs in disaray and the pool just seemed old. I had heard they recently refurbed the pool but for the life of us we couldn't see what. Maybe the pool surface, I don't know. We had some conversations about maintenenace at DVC Resorts after this experience. The deluxe resorts we are used to just seem to be better maintained than this DVC Resort. I hope they all aren't like this one!!!! The BW really needs work. Our first stay as DVC members was at SSR. It wasn't great either but you know after staying at BWV we will go back to SSR before the BWV. Nicer overall with WAAAAAAAy better food/drinks.
Eating just became a huge hassle there with kids. Nothing poolside except for Turkey or Ham sandwich pre made, chips or pretzels, that is it, not even a hot dog. You either head out or cook in your room. ESPN wouldn't do a to go order for me either. Eating became a stress point on our resort days. SSR had good food to grab at AP, I expected something better I guess. Room service menu has changed or is very different from the one that we had years ago at the BWI. Nothing for non meat eaters and extremely limited choices. We did eat at two of the BW restaurants for diner, Spoodles and Big River. Both were pretty god but again very few choices. The menus seemed very generic to us and paired down. Both even had Hummus, I mean Spoodles that makes sense but at a Brew Pub??????
We took the kids to Universal and Seaworld. Both were excellent and we enjoyed them both. We love the variety in Orlando and we had decided up front not to do the Disney parks as we will be returning so often.
All in all we really enjoyed the trip. We even had two magical experiences. First was at the boat rental place near the YC. I took the boys over to rent a boat. Two friendly girls approached and asked if we had some time. We said sure and they proceded to give us our own private pirate chase. We boarded the boat and looked for the pirate around the lagoon. We chased off the prirates and recieved treasure at the end. Very cool and the boys loved it!!! It was part of the eyar of the million dreams. We also had another experience at the community hall at thew BW quiet poool. We rented bikes there and upon return we were told no charge and thye even gave each of us ice cream mickey ears!!! Awesome stuff, really. TWO in one trip. Maybe the WDW gods looked out for us afterall.
We now have at least stayed at all of the DVC Resorts so we can now make an informed decision about what we like/dislike. We seem to be a BCV/VWL family I guess as those are our favorites. After that we like OKW/SSR with BWV being last on our list. We think the new AKV might appeal to us as well.
Thanks for reading.
Mike
Manager dools out enough $50's maybe he'll get the message. I'm really getting tired of the nickel and dime mentality.
